Face-Off with Olivia Newport!!

I am so excited to be facing-off with Olivia Newport today!!! I love my job! Woot Woot!!

Ever since I started reading Christian Fiction, about 4 years back, I have been drawn to Olivia’s books as I’m perusing the shelves. Her Avenue of Dreams series always catches my eye. I finally picked up one of them and can’t wait to let you know my thoughts!!!

A small sampling as she is author of almost 20 books! Olivia has two grown children and lives a peaceful life, with her husband of over 30 years, in Colorado. She writes a lot of Amish Fiction and some Historical too.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

The rules are simple. I ask Olivia some random questions. She replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. Have you ever been stuck in the middle of an epic storm? Like a Category 5 Hurricane?

Olivia – Literally? When I was about 4 my family visited relatives in Texas, and I have vague memories of sirens and rushing to a town shelter during a hurricane. Now figuratively speaking, all the time!

Charity – Oh! That sounds scary!! We live on the East Coast in Virginia. When Hurricane Isabel came through, it was a big deal. We left town and went to the western part of the state thinking that we would be safe there. Would you believe it totally land jumped and HIT THERE WORSE THAN THE COAST??? What in the world?

— I am going to have to give it to Olivia. Sirens and shelters sound terrifying!

Charity 0 / Olivia 1

2. What’s the coolest DIY project you have done? Pics?

Olivia – “Coolest” is a matter of opinion, but I had fun refinishing the sewing machine cabinet that belonged to my mom when I was young. So I should get points for sentimentality with a slight demerit for not being able to produce the photo.

Charity – Hmm. No picture? Well, I suppose I shall tell you of my fun endeavors. We are trying to adopt and needed an extra bedroom in our house. SO, we took the living room and “built-in”. Using Ikea wardrobes, we completely built a new bedroom!! You can’t even tell because we painted the backs of them and put crown molding on the top and bottom of each one!

— I get that one!! woot woot!

Charity 1 / Olivia 1

3. What is your favorite, unique holiday tradition (any holiday)?

Olivia – Hands down, chocolate frosted shortbread squares are required at every holiday meal throughout my large extended family. When the menu planning begins, everyone’s first question is “Who’s bringing the shortbread squares?”

Charity – Yum!!!!!!! I need that tradition! We celebrate 99 Days ‘Til Christmas every year. It’s so fun! We put up a few lights, miniature tree, some decorations, eat delicious foods, do small gifts and watch Elf. After all of that, we write out our Christmas Wish Lists. IT’S ONLY 3 WEEKS AWAY!!!

— Tie

Charity 2/ Olivia 2

4. Have you ever been in a maze? Corn maze, tree maze, any kind of maze made for adults?

Olivia – Um, no. And can I say “Achoo!” is what would happen if I went into such a place? (Pity points for allergies.)

Charity – No pity here! ha 😉 I live near Williamsburg and in back of the Governor’s Mansion, there is this cool maze made out of bushes. It’s not one you can get lost in. However, hubby and I went to the one at Luray Caverns and that one is awesome!!!

–Guess who is ahead?!?!

Charity 3 / Olivia 2

5. What is one kitchen appliance that you wouldn’t want to live without?

Olivia – Two Christmases ago my husband gave me a little gadget that warms and froths milk for my coffee. I would not have guessed I’d want one, but I use it every stinkin’ day.

Charity – Now that is cool!!! Froths AND warms?! Wow. I love my keurig. It makes me very happy.

— Your gadget wins!

Charity 3 / Olivia 3

6. What is the funniest joke you know?

Olivia – I concede the point. I’m sure I know funny jokes but I can’t perform when you put me on the spot!

Olivia – No, but I’m guessing a lot of other people have based on the number of broken eggs I find when I check the cartons.

Charity – hmm. Me either. I took a guess because, same as you, I assumed most people have. Weird.

— Tie

Charity 5 / Olivia 5

8. How do you strive to bring God the most glory in your life?

Olivia – Several years ago I felt a call to live my life more intentionally from a center of peace in God, which begins by welcoming God into the moments of my life and being more satisfied with a holy presence than I ever would be if I got everything I thought I wanted.

Charity – Beautiful!!!

— God wins!

Charity 5 / Olivia 5

9. Have you ever tried surfing?

Olivia – No, although ironically I went to college in southern California. But in my defense, a) I didn’t have a car to get to the beach; b) I was too nearsighted to get in the ocean without my contacts; and c) I actually studied! But I’m a pretty good web surfer. Does that count?

Charity – ha…it would if I HADN’T TRIED SURFING! Believe me, it wasn’t something you would want to see. I am so uncoordinated. It’s truly ridiculous.

— But…I have tried it!

Charity 6 / Olivia 5

10. Tea or Coffee?

Olivia – I came to coffee late in life–like just two years ago. But as you can guess from my favorite kitchen appliance, I do indulge in a sort of homemade latte every morning now. And when I go to the coffee shop to write on Saturday mornings, the barista knows to start a white rose, extra hot as soon as she sees me come in the door.

Charity – I still haven’t come into coffee. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy a good cup every once in a while. I just don’t drink it every day. I could drink sweet or unsweet tea every day, all day though.

I have always wanted to try surfing!!!! That would be so cool! Oh! I figured out the maze at Luray caverns from the picture!! It was really fun! Aunt charity, did y’all make it through the maze? Thanks for the giveaway!!!!!

Olivia, I have been wanting to read Brightest and the Best since I fist discovered it last month. I was hoping to get it from the Barbour Publishing Review Krew, but for some reason I never got a copy. But where there is a will there is a way. Haha. I also discovered this is book 3 in a series so that is fun. I would love to read all 3 in the series. 🙂 Thanks for the fun face-off and giveaway!
~Sydney

Hello Charity and Olivia, good chat..found out some things about Olivia did not know. I have already read some of this author and love her work. Charity your living rm addition looks great -you done good. thanks for sharing today.

Another fun face-off….but then I’ve not read one I don’t like yet (and likely won’t ever!)! You did great Olivia, Charity is a tough cookie to go against…haha!! Glad I introduced you 🙂
I think as far as surfing, I’ll stick to web surfing as there’s sharks in them thar waters!! I live on the Oregon coast and I do see a lot of surfers,and while I know a shark attack doesn’t happen often and surfing does look like fun….I’ll think I’ll just stick to watching from the beach 😉 No need to take a chance, right?
Loved the answers and one never knows what questions Charity will ask next…..who can get in her mind (scary!) 😉